I’ve just finished reading an article in which George Monbiot is interviewed about his view of the moors as managed at the moment.

Unfortunately, the moors are not that easy to photograph, so here is a verbal description: there are miles and miles of heather and sheep, with miles and miles of grass and sheep on the lower slopes. They do look spectacular, even if they are devoid of their natural vegetation, which would once have been trees.

Now, I would be more than happy to see the moors rewilded but whether the landowners would agree to this or not is a moot point. With or without the EU. So, we appreciated them for what they currently are and at least we’re thankful that they had more to offer than the Britain in Bloom display below!

After this sight, I was more than a little depressed. The Britain in Bloom competition may encourage as much controversial behaviour as Monbiot or the EU or anyone else who has anything to say about landscapes and agriculture, but a weed infested flower display didn’t need to grace the seafront of my hometown.

Fortunately, as can only happen when you move away from a place, the Zetland lifeboat museum was actually open. This is the longest serving lifeboat – decommissioned in about 1880 – and was worth the diversion on the hunt for open public conveniences, which we also eventually found.

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About Helen

I have always been interesting in living a more environmentally friendly lifestyle and used to do what I could. Now, I have come to realise that we have reached such a point in terms of environmental degradation that it is more important - perhaps - to focus on building resilience. I therefore do as much as I can to reuse, grow my own and encourage a supportive community, for example. I also keep reading and learning all the time.

I wouldn’t know the precise story behind the planter as this was the first time I’d seen it. I hadn’t been back to my hometown for a couple of years and it never used to be there.

That part of the country is what we call ‘an economic blackspot’. Of course, there are plenty of people with wealth but somehow it doesn’t trickle down – and the poorer members of the community seem to lack the aspiration to improve their lot. So, for me, the planter is a representation of that.

The north-easterly wind coming off the sea and the sea air generally do make it more challenging to grow certain plants but I’m sure with a bit of thought, that plant could be a pretty sight all year round. We don’t have such a planter in my village but the Britain in Bloom group are out all year keeping the area looking tidy and as colourful as possible.

I can hear the sadness and dissappointment in your voice, Helen. There are different models for helping people improve there lot and of course there is the selfish, keep all your money model that our current president likes to promote. I think helping people out of poverty and breaking that cycle is about education more than anything. Helping people see a way forward. Many are exhausted and depressed and have simply given up. It’s sad.